10.0.0.1 is an IP address found on many local computer networks, particularly business networks. Business class network routers assigned 10.0.0.1 as their local gateway address typically are configured to support a subnet with client IP addresses starting at 10.0.0.2. This same address is also the default local address for certain models of home broadband routers from Zoom, Edimax, Siemens and Micronet.
Why 10.0.0.2 is Popular
Internet Protocol (IP) version 4 defines certain sets of IP addresses as restricted for private use (not available to be assigned to Web servers or other Internet hosts). The first and largest of these private IP address ranges begins with 10.0.0.0. Corporate networks wanting flexibility in allocating large number of IP addresses naturally gravitated to using the 10.0.0.0 network as their default with 10.0.0.2 as one of the first addresses allocated from that range.
Automatic Assignment of 10.0.0.2
Computers and other devices that support DHCP can receive their IP address automatically from a router. The router decides which address to assign from the range (called a DHCP pool) it is set up to manage. Normally routers will assign these pooled addresses in sequential order (though the order is not guaranteed). Therefore, 10.0.0.2 is most commonly the address given to the first client on a local network that connects to the router based at 10.0.0.1.
Manual Assignment of 10.0.0.2
Most modern network devices including computers and game consoles allow their IP address to be set manually. The text “10.0.0.2” or the four sets of digits – 10, 0, 0, and 2 – must be keyed into a network setting configuration screen on the device. However, simply entering these numbers does not guarantee it is a valid address for that device to use: The local router must also be configured to include 10.0.0.2 in its supported address range.
Working with 10.0.0.2
Users can access the administration screens of routers using 10.0.0.2 by pointing a Web browser to
http://10.0.0.2/
Most networks assign private IP addresses like 10.0.0.2 dynamically using DHCP. Attempting to assign it to a device manually (a process called “fixed” or static IP address assignment) is also possible but not recommended due to the risk of IP address conflicts. Routers cannot always recognize whether a given address in their pool has already been assigned to a client manually before assigning it automatically. In the worst case, two different devices on the network will both be assigned 10.0.0.2, resulting in failed connection issues for both.
